JP2018088921A - Methods and devices for applying particulates to surface of molded products - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide molded products having particulates, and a method and device for applying the particulates to a surface of the molded products.SOLUTION: A molded product comprises an undistorted three-dimensional design and has particulates that do not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design. The molded product can be made by a method comprising filling a mold in a die roll with one or more particulates, filling the mold with dough, compressing the dough into the mold, and releasing the compressed dough from the mold to form the molded product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Cross-reference of related applications

  [0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 576,562, filed Dec. 16, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Has been.

  [0002] The present invention relates generally to moldings having particulates, and in particular, to methods and devices for depositing particulates on the surface of the moldings.

  [0003] At present, when adhering to the surface of food or other products and needs to be taken up by the product, particulate matter is scattered on the surface of the product (usually using a recirculating particle applicator). ). In the secondary operation, the granular material is pressed against the surface of the product. Unfortunately, the process of pressing the granules and the granules against the surface of the product can distort any three-dimensional design that was originally on the surface of the product. Furthermore, this process requires a secondary pressing operation. As a result, there is a need for new methods and devices that add particulates to molded articles having a three-dimensional design without distorting the shape of the three-dimensional design. This need is critical for molded foods where it is desirable to have an attractive three-dimensional design that consumers and others like, such as a three-dimensional design of cookies, crackers, or animal treats containing particulate matter.

  [0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a molded article having a granular material and an undistorted three-dimensional design.

  [0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for depositing particulates on a molding without distorting any three-dimensional design of the product.

  [0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for depositing particulates on a molding without distorting any three-dimensional design of the product.

  [0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a package and indicia that shows the contents of the package as particulates and molded articles having an undistorted three-dimensional design.

  [0008] These and other objectives are achieved using an apparatus and method for making a molding having an undistorted three-dimensional design and having granules that do not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design. The method includes filling a mold roller mold with one or more particulates, filling the mold with a dough, pressing the dough into the mold, and compressing the dough into the mold. Releasing from to form a molding. As a result, it is possible to manufacture a molded product having a granular material that has an undistorted three-dimensional design and does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design.

  [0009] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is a figure of the rotary shaping | molding apparatus which adheres a granular material to a molding in one embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional image of a mold roller having a mold having a three-dimensional design in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an image of a molded article having a three-dimensional design and a granular material that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Definition
[0013] The term "animal" means any animal that may potentially benefit from a molding. This animal may include humans, birds, bovines, canines, equines, felines, goats, wolves, murines, sheep, or pigs . The animal can also be any suitable pet or pet animal.

  [0014] The term "companion animal" means domestic animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, mice, gerbils, horses, cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs.

  [0015] The term "three-dimensional design" refers to a surface having three vertical curvatures or depressions. An example of a three-dimensional design is a molded article having a design pressed against the surface as shown in FIG. 3, for example by a noodle pattern in the mold shown in FIG.

  [0016] The term "undistorted" when used to describe a three-dimensional design refers to a three-dimensional design that is obtained when the granulate is pressed or impregnated into a molding. Is the same or substantially the same as the three-dimensional design obtained when not pressed or mixed into the molding.

  [0017] The term "dough" generally forms any material capable of forming a molding, such as plastic, and specifically a molding, such as an edible dough used to create food. Means a consumable or edible substance that can be made.

  [0018] The term "single package" means that the components of the kit are physically related to or associated with one or more containers and are considered units of manufacture, distribution, sale, or use. Means. Containers include bags, boxes, cardboard, bottles, any type of design or material packaging, overlaps, shrink wraps, attached components (eg stapled, glued, etc.), or their Combinations are included, but are not limited to them. One or more moldings having particulates, etc. as described herein that may be physically linked to be considered as a unit of manufacture, distribution, sale or use. Package may contain.

  [0019] The term “virtual package” refers to kits such as accessing a website, contacting a recorded message or fax back service, viewing a visual message, or contacting an instructor. The configuration of the kit, such as a bag or other container that contains instructions and a component to instruct the user to obtain instructions on how to use or safety or technical information about one or more components of the kit It means that the elements are related by instructions on one or more physical kit components or virtual kit components that instruct the user how to obtain other components.

  [0020] All percentages expressed herein with respect to the components of the composition are by weight of the total weight of the composition unless otherwise indicated.

  [0021] As used throughout, ranges are abbreviated herein to avoid having to describe in detail and every single value within the range. It has been. Any suitable value within the range can be selected as needed, as a maximum value, minimum value, or range boundary.

  [0022] As used herein and in the appended claims, unless otherwise specified, the singular forms of the word include the plural and vice versa. Thus, references to “a”, “an”, and “the” generally include the plural of each term. For example, reference to “a molded product” or “a method” includes a plurality of such “molded products” or “methods”. Similarly, the words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively. Similarly, the terms “include”, “including” and “or” are all to be interpreted inclusive unless such syntax is expressly prohibited by context. Where the term “example” is used herein, and in particular when the term enumeration follows, it is merely exemplary and illustrative and should not be construed as exclusive or inclusive.

  [0023] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the devices, assemblies, kits, methods, compositions, and other improvements disclosed herein may vary and are described herein. It is not limited to the specific methodologies, procedures, and reagents described. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the scope of what is disclosed or claimed. No limitation.

invention
[0024] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides a dough hopper 20, a granule hopper 30, a dough hopper 20 and a granule hopper 30 in product communication with 1 A rotary molding apparatus 10 is provided that includes a mold roller 40 having one or more molds 42. Specifically, the mold roller 40 is arranged to receive any product contained in the dough hopper 20 and the granular material hopper 30. The mold 42 of the mold roller 40 can have any suitable three-dimensional pattern, for example as shown by FIG. A dough supply roller 50 is adjacent to the mold roller 40. A granular material distributor 34 can drop the granular material from the granular material hopper 30 and transport it to the mold roller 40 via the basket 32.

  [0025] In some embodiments, a continuous looping belt conveying system that removes the molding from the mold 42 and moves the molding away from the mold roller 40 includes: A roller 60 is provided which is in partial contact with a belt (not shown) that is in contact and forms one side of the transporter. In various embodiments, the mold roller 40 is in contact with means for extracting the molded product from the mold 42. In one embodiment, this means is a roller 60 that is partially surrounded by a conveyor belt (not shown) that contacts the moldings and removes them from the mold 42 of the mold roller 40. In one preferred embodiment, roller 60 is a rubber roller and the transport belt is a cloth. Each of the above devices, such as mold roller 40, rotary granule distributor 34, dough feed roller 50, roller 60, etc. are powered by a motor or similar means and under the control of control systems well known in the art. It is in. The rotary molding apparatus 10 can be housed in any suitable housing 12 to allow the devices to interact as described above.

  [0026] In operation, the desired particulates are transferred from the particulate hopper 30 to the lowering basket 32 via the particulate distributor 34, which may be rotary. The particulate matter passes through the lowering basket 32 and is introduced into the mold 42 of the mold roller 40. Immediately after that, the dough used for producing the molded product accommodated in the dough hopper 20 takes in the particulate matter to the surface of the mold 42 through the opening 22 at the bottom of the hopper 20, The mold 42 of the mold roller 40 is partially filled. During the process of filling the mold 42 with the dough, the dough supply roller 50 is used to complete the filling process and push the dough firmly into the mold 42 and further incorporate particulate matter on the surface of the mold 42. This also minimizes the effects of particulates on the surface of the dough, while ensuring that the dough takes the shape of a three-dimensional design within the mold 42. The molding with embedded granulate can then be removed from the mold 42 with the aid of the roller 60 in conjunction with the transport belt for further processing and packaging.

  [0027] The present invention advantageously allows for appreciable particulate adhesion to the surface of the molding without distorting any three-dimensional design of the molding. Since the granulate is added into the cavity of the mold roller prior to rotational molding of the final product, the granule is entrained on the surface of the molding while maintaining the three-dimensional pattern and design of the molding. In conventional methods, the molding is created with one or more three-dimensional designs, and then the granulate is pressed into the molding or otherwise pressed or mixed. The process of pressing or mixing the granulate and the granulate against the molding distorted the 3D design of the product. The method is advantageous because it avoids this distortion of the three-dimensional design due to the conventional method of forming a granulate and a molding with a three-dimensional design.

  [0028] A molded article is any product that can be formed in a molding process. In a preferred embodiment, the molding is a consumable or edible product suitable for consumption by animals, such as a pet snack having an undistorted three-dimensional design that characterizes or identifies a snack. In other embodiments, the molding is a plastic toy with embedded decorative granules.

  [0029] When creating an edible product, the dough can be any consumable or edible dough that can be shaped. The dough may include any suitable meat such as bacon or any other meat (muscle or organ) of cattle, sheep, pigs and fish. Other doughs such as cereals, starch, meat flour, protein, fiber, sugar, minerals, aromas, colorants, seasonings, oils, moisturizers, preservatives, acidulants, or combinations thereof in any suitable amount Of edible ingredients.

  [0030] When creating an edible product, the granulate can be any consumable granule or edible granule, such as an animal or vegetable origin granule. Specifically, the edible granule is a cereal, starch, meat, meat flour, protein, fiber, sugar, mineral, aroma, color, seasoning, oil, moisturizer, preservative, acidulant, or any suitable Edible ingredients such as combinations thereof in amounts may be included.

  [0031] The particulates may be any shape (regular or irregular). The granulate can be present in the molding in any useful amount, generally from about 2% to about 16%. The particle size of the granular material can be any size that matches the molded product. In general, the particle size varies from just large enough to be visible (0.5 mm) to the same size as the molding or the amount of space allowed by the 3D design used. For example, the size of the particulates varies from about 0.5 mm to 8 mm measured at their longest side.

  [0032] In an alternative aspect, the present invention provides a method of making a molding having a particulate and an undistorted three-dimensional design. The method includes the steps of filling one or more molds of a mold roller with one or more particulates, filling the mold with a dough, pressing the dough into the mold, and compressing. Releasing the fabric from the mold to form a molding. This molding can then be further transported or processed, eg calcined and dried as required. This molding has an undistorted three-dimensional design. The method may further include filling the package with one or more moldings.

  [0033] In another aspect, the present invention provides a product made using the method of the present invention.

  [0034] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a molded article having a granular material and an undistorted three-dimensional design. This molded product includes an undistorted three-dimensional design and a granular material that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design. In various embodiments, the molding contains particulates in an amount from about 2% to about 16% by weight. Generally, the particulates have a size of about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm measured at their longest side. In a preferred embodiment, the molding is a food product. In various embodiments, the shaped food is a cereal, starch, meat, meat flour, protein, fiber, sugar, mineral, aroma, colorant, seasoning, oil, humectant, preservative, acidulant, or combinations thereof One or more edible materials selected from the group consisting of: In various embodiments, the granulate used to create the shaped food is cereal, starch, meat, meat flour, protein, fiber, sugar, minerals, aroma, colorant, seasoning, oil, humectant, preservative. , One or more edible materials selected from the group consisting of acidulants, or combinations thereof.

  [0035] Preferably, the shaped article of the present invention is a shaped food suitable for consumption by any animal. In a preferred embodiment, the shaped food is for consumption by pets such as dogs and cats. In the most preferred embodiment, the shaped food is a pet food suitable for consumption by pets such as dogs and cats. In a preferred embodiment, the shaped food is a food for dogs or cats that has an undistorted three-dimensional design for each dog or cat.

  [0036] In another aspect, the present invention provides a continuous production line capable of producing packages as described herein that include a molded article with an undistorted three-dimensional design. More specifically, a continuous production line can be equipped with various devices that produce packages having moldings with an undistorted three-dimensional design. For example, a continuous production line can include a dough hopper and a granulate hopper that distribute dough and granulate respectively on a mold roller having a mold with a three-dimensional design. The continuous production line may include a dough supply roller that pushes the dough into a die of the roller body. The molding containing the granulate can then be released from the mold. The molding can then be packed into a package that may then be sealed or closed. A conveyor belt can be used to transport containers from one location of a continuous production line to another. In various embodiments, the continuous production line comprises: (1) an apparatus that produces a molding having an undistorted 3D design and having granules that do not distort the shape of the 3D design; and (2) further processing, eg And means for transporting the molded article for baking, drying, seasoning coating and the like. In a further embodiment, the continuous production line further comprises means for packaging the molding. In other embodiments, the continuous production line further comprises means for transporting the molded product packaged for further processing, for example transporting the package to a storage facility, i.e. transport means.

  [0037] In another aspect, the present invention comprises (A) an undistorted three-dimensional design in a single package or in a separate container in a virtual package, as needed with respect to kit components. Molded product with granular material that does not distort the shape of the design, preferably molded food, and (B) (1) Description of benefits of molded product with undistorted 3D design, (2) Undistorted 3D design Instructions on how to give a molded product comprising: (3) Specific food ingredients other than molded food when the molded product is food, (4) Toys, (5) Undistorted three-dimensional design A kit is provided comprising one or more of a providing platter for providing a molded article, or (6) a providing instrument for providing a molded article with an undistorted three-dimensional design.

  [0038] If the kit comprises a virtual package, the kit may be limited to instructions in a virtual environment in combination with one or more physical kit components. The kit may include kit components in any of various combinations and / or mixtures. For example, in one embodiment, the kit comprises a container having a molded product comprising a unique food ingredient with an undistorted three-dimensional design as described herein. In another embodiment, the kit comprises a container having a molded article with a non-distorted three-dimensional design and a serving platter as described herein.

  [0039] In an alternative aspect, the present invention provides (1) using a molding, (2) providing an animal with a molding comprising an undistorted three-dimensional design, and (3) an undistorted three-dimensional design. For explaining one or more of the benefits of a molding comprising: or (4) promoting animal health or wellness using a molding comprising an undistorted three-dimensional design, Means are provided for communicating information or instructions regarding a molded article having a three-dimensional design that is not distorted and that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design.

  [0040] The communication means may be a document containing information or instructions, a digital storage medium, an optical recording medium, an audio presentation, or a visual display. More specifically, the means is a website to be displayed, a visual display kiosk, a booklet, a product label, a package insert, an advertisement, a flyer, a notice, a recording tape, a video tape, a DVD, a CD-ROM, a computer readable chip, a computer It can be a readable card, a computer readable disk, a USB device, a FireWire device, a computer memory, or any combination thereof.

  [0041] In another aspect, the present invention provides a package with indicia describing a molded article having a three-dimensional design that is not distorted and having a granular material that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design. The indicia can be in the form of words, symbols, pictures, photographs, drawings, or combinations thereof, details of the molding with the undistorted three-dimensional design described herein Or an example. The package may further include one or more moldings within the container having a non-distorted three-dimensional design and having granules that do not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design.

  [0042] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is 1) a plurality of containers arranged in an array, each of the plurality of containers having an undistorted three-dimensional design as described herein. A multi-pack package is provided comprising one or more containers comprising a molding comprising and 2) one or more devices holding the containers in an array. In various embodiments, the device is a box made from paper, plastic, polymer, or combinations thereof. In others, the device is a system of connected plastic rings attached to each of the containers. In yet another embodiment, the device is a plastic wrap of similar materials, such as 12 cans stacked in an array and wrapped in plastic. In some embodiments, the multipack package is attached to the multipack package and has one or more handles that facilitate handling and shipping of the multipack package.

  [0043] In other embodiments, the device further comprises one or more windows that allow the contents of the package to be viewed without opening the multipack package. In some embodiments, the window is a transparent portion of the device. In others, the window is a missing part of the device that allows the container to be viewed without opening the multipack package.

  [0044] In a preferred embodiment, the multi-pack package further comprises one or more indicia describing the contents of the containers within the multi-pack package. This indicia may be in the form of a label, printed on a package, sticker, etc., words and symbols giving details and examples of molded articles with an undistorted three-dimensional design as described herein , Pictures, photos, figures, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, one or more words, pictures, designs, acronyms, mottos, phrases, or other indications that the contents of the multipack package comprise a molding with an undistorted three-dimensional design A label containing the design, or a combination thereof, is affixed to the multipack package.

  [0045] The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, but it should be understood that these examples are included for illustrative purposes only, and unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present invention. Not intended to limit.

Example 1
[0046] A molded snack biscuit having the surface design shown in Figure 3 and having visible particulates embedded in the surface was made by the following procedure. The snack composition was made based on the formulation shown in Table 1. Granulated sugar, flour, powder (egg, chicken, and cheese), calcium carbonate, calcium propionate, salt, and seasoning dry ingredients were weighed in the proportions shown in Table 1 and added to the ribbon mixer. Separately, refrigerated bacon pieces were emulsified (Stephane emulsifier) and mixed with tallow at 60 ° C. at a ratio of 30:70 to prepare a bacon and tallow slurry. With the mixer running, a slurry equal to 10.5% of the total final product was pumped into the mixer with dry material. Water was added to bring the moisture in the dough to 22%. Mixing continued for 5 minutes resulting in a homogeneous dough. The dough was then transported into the dough hopper of the rotary molding device (FIG. 1). A hopper of Omega I Applicator (Reading Baking) was filled with pieces of bacon and cheese mixed at a ratio of 70:30. This piece is a cube with sides of about 3.2 mm. The deposition apparatus was attached to a rotary molding apparatus so that the small pieces were distributed into the molding cavity. The dough feeding device was designed such that the dough partially filled the mold cavity of the mold roller before the device rotated downward. In this way, the molded dough maintained the surface shape of the 3D (three-dimensional) design of the mold, and at the same time, the granules in the forming cavity were pushed into the dough surface. The dough supply roller and the mold roller were reversely rotated to complete the process of filling the forming cavity. The molded pieces were then extracted from the mold roller mold with a rubber roller and transported to a continuous oven where they were fired at 245 ° C. for 7.5 minutes. The fired pieces were then fed to a dryer where the moisture was reduced to 8%. The final product is shown in FIG.

Example 2
[0047] A soft moist product with embedded particulates as in Example 1 was made using the formulation method in Table 2 as follows. Emulsified meat was prepared by mechanically grinding watered beef into a jacketed stainless steel mixing tank through a 3.125 mm opening in the meat grinder. Other emulsified meat ingredients according to Table 2 were added in the proportions indicated. The mixture was heated to 77 ° C. and then emulsified with a Stefan emulsifier. Separately, the dry principal component was weighed in the proportions shown in Table 2, placed in a Mepaco steam jacketed mixer and mixed for 2.5 minutes. The emulsified meat was pumped to a mixer with dry mix material (rate according to Table 2) during continuous mixing. The glucono delta lactone and colorant were then added according to Table 2. The mixture was heated to 85 ° C. by steam injection with 2.5 minutes continuous mixing and 27% final dough moisture. Next, the dough was supplied to a rotary molding apparatus, and the particles were embedded in the same manner as in Example 1. The product was then transported by Storaveyor and cooled to room temperature.

  [0048] All patents, patent applications, publications, and other references cited or referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent permitted by law. The review of those references is only intended to summarize the claims made there. Any such patents, patent applications, publications, or references, or any portion thereof, are relevant to the prior art of the present invention, such patents, patent applications, publications, and other references The right to challenge the accuracy and appropriateness of is clearly reserved.

Claims (43)

  A molded product including an undistorted three-dimensional design and a granular material that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design.   The molded article of claim 1, comprising the granulate in an amount of about 2 wt% to about 16 wt%.   The molded article of claim 1, wherein the granules have a size of about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm measured at their longest side.   The molded article according to claim 1, which is a food.   The molding is selected from the group consisting of cereals, starch, meat, meat flour, protein, fiber, sugar, minerals, aromas, colorants, seasonings, oils, moisturizers, preservatives, acidulants, and combinations thereof. The molded article of claim 1, comprising one or more edible ingredients.   The granulate is selected from the group consisting of cereals, starch, meat, meat flour, protein, fiber, sugar, minerals, aromas, colorants, seasonings, oils, humectants, preservatives, acidulants, and combinations thereof. The molded article of claim 1, comprising one or more edible ingredients. A method for producing a molded product including an undistorted three-dimensional design and a granular material that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design,
Filling the mold of the mold roller with one or more particulates;
Filling the mold with dough;
Press-fitting the dough into the mold;
Releasing the compressed dough from the mold to form the molding.   The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of firing the molding.   The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of drying the fired molded article.   8. The method of claim 7, further comprising filling a package with one or more of the moldings.   The method of claim 7, wherein the mold has one or more three-dimensional designs.   8. The method of claim 7, wherein the molding comprises the granulate in an amount from about 2% to about 16% by weight.   The method of claim 7, wherein the granulate has a size of about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the molded product is a food product.   The dough is selected from the group consisting of cereals, starch, meat, meat flour, protein, fiber, sugar, minerals, aromas, colorants, seasonings, oils, humectants, preservatives, acidulants, and combinations thereof. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method is one or more edible materials.   The granulate is selected from the group consisting of cereals, starch, meat, meat flour, protein, fiber, sugar, minerals, aromas, colorants, seasonings, oils, humectants, preservatives, acidulants, and combinations thereof. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method is one or more edible materials.   A continuous production line capable of producing an undistorted three-dimensional design and a molded product having a granular material that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design, and (1) an undistorted three-dimensional design and the three-dimensional design A continuous production line comprising: an apparatus for producing a molded product containing granular material that does not distort the shape of the product; and (2) means for transporting the molded product for further processing. Dough hopper,
A granular hopper,
A mold roller having at least one mold in communication with the dough hopper and the particulate hopper;
A rotary molding apparatus comprising the mold roller and an adjacent dough supply roller.   19. The rotary molding apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a rubber roller disposed between the mold roller and a conveying belt forming means for extracting the molded product and moving it away from the mold roller.   (A) Undistorted 3D design and granularity that does not distort the shape of the 3D design, as required with respect to kit components, in separate containers in a single package or in separate containers in a virtual package (B) (1) Description of benefits of the molding, (2) Instructions on how to give the molding to animals, (3) Unique food composition, (4) Toys A kit comprising one or more of: (5) a providing platter for providing the molded product, or (6) a providing instrument for providing the molded product.   (1) using a molded product, (2) giving the molded product to an animal, (3) explaining the benefits of the molded product, or (4) using the molded product, Means for conveying information or instructions about the molding, including undistorted three-dimensional design and particulates that do not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design for one or more of promoting health The means comprises a document containing the information or the instructions, a digital storage medium, an optical recording medium, audio presentation, or visual display.   Website to be displayed, visual display kiosk, booklet, product label, package insert, advertisement, flyer, public notice, recording tape, video tape, DVD, CD-ROM, computer readable chip, computer readable card, computer readable disk, USB device 24. The means of claim 21, wherein the means is selected from the group consisting of: a firewire device, a computer memory, and combinations thereof.   A package comprising indicia describing a molded product comprising an undistorted 3D design and a granular material that does not distort the shape of the 3D design.   24. The package of claim 23, containing a molded product comprising an undistorted 3D design and a granular material that does not distort the shape of the 3D design. A plurality of containers arranged in an array, each container comprising a non-distorted three-dimensional design and a molding comprising a granular material that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design;
A multi-pack package comprising one or more devices for holding the containers in the array.   26. The multipack package of claim 25, further comprising one or more handles suitable for handling and transporting the multipack package.   26. The multipack package of claim 25, further comprising one or more indicia describing the contents of the container within the multipack package.   26. The multipack package of claim 25, wherein the device comprises one or more windows.   One or more words, pictures, designs, or acronyms indicating that the contents of the multi-pack package include an undistorted three-dimensional design and a molded product that includes a granular material that does not distort the shape of the three-dimensional design. 26. The multipack package of claim 25, further comprising a label affixed to the multipack package that includes a slogan, a phrase, or a combination thereof.   A product made using the method of claim 7. The device is
Dough hopper,
A granular hopper,
A mold roller having at least one mold in communication with the dough hopper and the particulate hopper;
The continuous production line according to claim 17, wherein the continuous production line is a rotary molding apparatus including a dough supply roller adjacent to the mold roller.   The continuous production line according to claim 17, wherein the means for transporting the molded product is a rubber roller in which a transport belt is disposed between the mold roller. The device is
Dough hopper,
A granular hopper,
A mold roller having at least one mold in communication with the dough hopper and the particulate hopper;
A rotary molding apparatus comprising a dough supply roller adjacent to the mold roller;
The means for transporting the molded product is a rubber roller having a transport belt disposed between a mold roller and
The continuous production line according to claim 17.   The molded article according to claim 1, which is a pet animal food.   35. A molded article according to claim 34, wherein the pet animal food product is a dog food product.   36. The molding of claim 35, wherein the three-dimensional design of the dog food product is a dog.   35. The molded article according to claim 34, wherein the pet animal food product is a cat food product.   38. The molding of claim 37, wherein the three-dimensional design of the cat food product is a cat.   The method according to claim 14, wherein the food is a pet animal food.   40. The method of claim 39, wherein the pet animal food product is a dog food product.   41. The method of claim 40, wherein the three-dimensional design of the dog food product is a dog.   40. The method of claim 39, wherein the food product is a cat food product.   43. The method of claim 42, wherein the three-dimensional design of the cat food product is a cat.

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